Dear Joan, Love that you’re at Tall Acre! I miss those characters:) I keep entertaining the idea of some sort of Christmas novella that brings the characters in that book together with those in The Lacemaker. An author can dream! And I so agree about your MN winters. In fact, recently I read an article which ranked states according to the ‘happiest people’ and YOUR state topped the list!

I don’t have to worry about your reading stack this winter, Mary Jill! And I can just picture your lovely arrangement with your lamp and book – thank you so much! If you ever want to send a pic just email to lauran@tfon.com. Though not all attachments come through, sadly. THANK YOU for being here and making this Journal page something that’s a pleasure to do!

Oh, love those long, long novels which are so rare these days! I have not heard of Penman so will happily look her up, thanks to you. The series about Welsh princes sound fantastic given my own Welsh hero. I’d love to go to Wales. Have always been fascinated given the historic revival that broke out there long ago. Your thoughts are mine exactly about the Tonya movie. I am so fuzzy about what happened now but do recall she was certainly not the innocent party. Mercy! Haven’t been able to keep up with the Olympics with release month but have watched a few clips and just heard belatedly about the costume malfunction. Sorry for the pair there! Such high stakes and stress. But such beauty. I think you know enough about skating you could be a commentator, Michelle! Glad to know about the YouTube channel, too. I see some good viewing in my future as I’m not a big fan of Victoria right now and can’t quite get interested in The Crown for some reason as I feel it’s too modern lol. Stay snug in your mountains!

Love your current duo, Carissa. I just saw Lynette’s next cover in that series. She’s so good! And Jocelyn is a favorite of mine, plus it was fun linking our heroines by kinship in these novels after discovering we both had lacemaking novels 🙂 Happy reading to you and hope this Valentine’s is sweet!

You’re exactly right, the Olympics and World Championships are definitely when books are pushed aside for me. I imagine NBC will post at least parts of some of the programs to FaceBook, and there is an Olympic Youtube channel which has posted some videos from past Olympics. You know if NBC posts stuff I’ll probably be sharing it. 🙂 I have heard of the Tonya Harding movie, and I’m rather torn about it, I partially want to see it, I’ve loved Allison Janney, who plays Tonya’s mother for years. However, I can’t stand how this movie and all of the buzz around it is trying to make Tonya seem like the victim, and that’s just…no. I own a few of those Jean Plaidy Tudor books, bought when they’ve been around 1.99 or 2.99 on kindle, I’ll probably re-read some of them too. I’m a die hard Anne Boleyn fan too. Have you ever read any of Sharon Kay Penman’s books? She writes about the Plantagenets, the dynasty before the Tudors. There’s a series of books on Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Richard the Lionheart, a trilogy covering the last of the native Welsh princes, and one novel about Richard III. Her books are absolutely wonderful, and all are very, very long.

Your stack is magnificent, Mary Kay! You are certainly not guilty of a writer who is unaware of what’s out there as a bookie post warned against awhile back. It really does help to study the market but not only study it, enjoy it, too, like you’re doing. This year will prove challenging to keep up with all the interesting looking historicals for me. Since I’m not an e-reader or audio listener, it’s paperbacks and I lack shelf space. But what a joyful problem to have :). Glad you’re a Garrow fan, too. Such a well done drama even if more low budget. Love learning about real historical figures who made a lasting impact. Am sure you’ll enjoy those kids – happy reading and hope it’s not because you have the flu! Happy writing, too!

Ice skating time! Which is probably the only time books get bumped in your house, Michelle! I really enjoy your skating posts. Makes me wish I had TV. I keep hearing a lot about that Harding movie but it doesn’t look lovely and am sure you’ve heard about it, too. I remember when all that happened but you are young so it was likely before your time. So glad Kristy is on your stack. My fave cover of hers yet though they’re all beautiful. I endorsed her debut with pleasure. I was on a Tudor bent awhile back, mostly old Jean Plaidy novels. Die-hard Ann Boleyn fan here:)